Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Statesboro GA

How to Pick a Vet Tech Program near Statesboro Georgia

Statesboro GA vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your long term dream of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a veterinary technician school near Statesboro GA may initially feel like an overwhelming endeavor. After all, you must search for and enroll in a school that will deliver the proper training to ensure that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you go about analyzing and comparing schools so that you can make the proper selection? Many aspiring students begin their due diligence process by looking for campuses that are close to their residences. When they have located some nearby colleges, they ascertain which ones have the lowest tuition and focus on those. Although cost and location are important factors when comparing vet technician schools, they are not the only important ones when making your comparisons. Qualifiers such as accreditation and internship programs need to be looked into also. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the veterinary technician schools you are considering before you make a final choice. We have provided several in this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll talk about the various roles of vet techs and the training options offered.

The Responsibilities of a Veterinary Technician in Statesboro GA

cat with cone after surgery in Statesboro GA One of the first decisions that you will have to make is whether you want to train as a vet assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your decision might be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your education, but the primary factor will most likely be which specialty appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they all work under the direct guidance of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are many duties that they can perform within the Statesboro GA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose conditions, or conduct surgeries. In those areas they may 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 police departments. Let’s take a look at the job functions and training prerequisites for each position.

Vet Assistants in most instances 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 community college or trade school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet technicians in the performance of their duties. Usually they are not associated with more involved undertakings, for instance assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their regular duties may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians go through more extensive training compared with assistants and typically earn a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinary counterparts of medical nurses, since their fundamental job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are engaged in more complex duties, for example assisting with surgical procedures or providing medication. All states currently mandate that vet techs pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary techs and essentially perform the same job functions. They are mandated to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which normally takes four years. Therefore 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 work opportunities, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.

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

Online Vet Tech Schools Offered in Statesboro

student attending online vet tech school in Statesboro GA An approach 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 training program. Since the classes are provided via the internet, students can study 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 practical training, that part can typically be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Statesboro GA veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenditures, for instance for commuting and study supplies, may be more affordable compared to more conventional classroom courses. Just make certain that the online school that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online courses and the clinical training, everything is furnished for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent mode, an online vet tech school may be the ideal choice for you.

Things to Ask Statesboro GA Veterinary Technician Programs

Questions to ask Statesboro GA vet tech schools At this point you probably have decided on which veterinarian credential that you want to earn, and if you want to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Statesboro GA area and across the USA, you must ask some qualifying questions in order to narrow down your list of options. As we pointed out in our opening, many prospective students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously mentioned other important qualifiers, for example accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you want to choose a program that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other factors are addressed in the list of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician schools that you are reviewing.

Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It’s essential that you verify that the veterinary technician school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier 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 demanding review process that ensures you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not obtainable for non-accredited programs. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is frequently a precondition for employment for many Statesboro GA area vet practices and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinary college or vocational school and program you choose should have an excellent reputation within the veterinary community. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include checking with internet school rating websites and checking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Georgia school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or infractions involving your specific schools. As a final pointer, contact some Statesboro GA veterinarians that you may want to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They might even recommend one or more colleges not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs? The best means to get practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Ask if the colleges you are considering have internship programs set up with Statesboro GA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial relative to the practical training, but an internship may also help establish relationships in the local veterinary community and help in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech college can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are reviewing. A lower rate might suggest that the instructors were unqualified to teach the course of study or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, verify that the colleges have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could signify that the college has an excellent reputation within the Statesboro GA veterinarian community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may 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 bigger, you probably will receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Statesboro GA schools you are researching what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to attend some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and teachers. Ask for evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the College Located? Yes, we previously covered location, but there are a few more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Statesboro GA home, you have to make certain that the commuting time fits into your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to check out the route won’t be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the campus is located in or close by a larger city. Also, if you do decide to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition fees particularly for community and state colleges. Of course attending classes online may be an option that will give you more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s imperative that you ascertain if the veterinary schools you are looking at offer class times that are sufficiently flexible 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 Statesboro GA. Others might only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss as a result of illness, work or family emergencies. You may discover that an online college is the ideal way to fit your veterinary education into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Statesboro GA?

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

Statesboro, Georgia

Statesboro is home to the flagship campus of Georgia Southern University and is part of the Savannah–Hinesville–Statesboro Combined Statistical Area. [6] As of 2016, the Statesboro Micropolitan Statistical Area, which consists of Bulloch County, had an estimated population of 74,722.[7] The city had an estimated 2016 population of 31,419.[8] Statesboro is the largest Micropolitan Statistical Area in Georgia. It is largest city in the Magnolia Midlands Region.

The city was chartered in 1803, starting as a small trading community providing basic essentials for surrounding cotton plantations. This drove the economy throughout the 19th century, both before and after the U.S. Civil War.

In 2017, Statesboro was selected in the top three of the national America's Best Communities competition and was named one of nine Georgia "live, work, play" cities by the Georgia Municipal Association.[10][11]

Choose the Right Veterinary Technician School near Statesboro GA

Statesboro GA vet tech holding dog Picking the right veterinary technician program is a crucial first step to starting a fulfilling career providing treatment and care for pets and livestock. Future students thinking about veterinary technician programs must make their decision based on several key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They typically take on administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have covered, it’s essential that you decide on a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This applies to vet tech online programs as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to reduce your alternatives so that you can make your final selection. And by selecting the best school, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet tech in Statesboro GA.