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How to Pick a Veterinary Technician Program near Stephens Georgia

Stephens GA vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your long term dream of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a vet tech program near Stephens GA may initially feel like a challenging undertaking. After all, you have to locate and enroll in a program that will furnish the proper training to ensure that you can be successful as a veterinary technician. But just how do you tackle assessing and contrasting schools so that you can make the right choice? Many aspiring students launch their due diligence process by looking for campuses that are close to their residences. Once they have identified some nearby colleges, they find out which ones have the cheapest tuition and focus on those. Although expense and location are significant concerns when assessing veterinary technician programs, they are not the only important ones when making your evaluations. Qualifiers such as internship programs and accreditation should be considered also. The point is that there are questions you ought to be asking the vet technician programs you are evaluating before you make a final choice. We have provided several within this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll talk about the different roles of vet techs and the training options offered.

The Job of a Vet Tech in Stephens GA

cat with cone after surgery in Stephens GA One of the first decisions that you will have to make is if you desire to train as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. Part of your preference might be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your training, but the principal determiner will most likely be which specialty appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they all work under the immediate supervision of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are a number of duties that they can perform within the Stephens GA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose conditions, or carry out surgical procedures. In those areas they can only furnish assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the typical vet practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the job functions and training prerequisites for each position.

Vet Assistants in most cases will have gone through a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by graduating from a certificate program at a trade school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet technicians in the completion of their duties. Normally they are not involved with more involved undertakings, for example assisting with surgeries. Some of their usual functions may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during examinations.
Vet Technicians get more advanced training compared to assistants and typically earn a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinarian equivalent of medical nurses, since their fundamental job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from vet assistants is that they are included in more complex activities, for instance assisting with surgeries or administering medication. All states currently require vet technicians pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to vet technicians and for the most part perform the same job functions. They are required to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally takes 4 years to complete. Therefore the main distinction between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career options, 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 internal medicine, anesthesia or urgent care. A number may acquire certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Stephens GA labs or research facilities also.

Online Vet Tech Programs Offered in Stephens

student attending online vet tech school in Stephens GA An approach that may be a solution for those with a busy schedule or who are working full time while attending veterinarian college is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are offered via the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The educational program is taught using various methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since most veterinary technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that portion can usually be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Stephens GA veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenditures, for example for commuting and study materials, may be cheaper compared to more conventional classroom courses. Just make sure that the program that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything is furnished for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant mode, an online veterinary technician school may be the perfect option for you.

Questions to Ask Stephens GA Vet Tech Colleges

Questions to ask Stephens GA vet tech schools By now you probably have selected which veterinary credential that you want to attain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Stephens GA area and across the Country, you must ask some important questions in order to narrow down your list of options. As we mentioned in our opening, many potential students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have previously mentioned other important qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you need to choose a program that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the vet tech schools that you are looking at.

Is the Vet Program Accredited? It’s important that you make sure that the vet tech program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously mentioned, 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 demanding review process that ensures you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not available for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is in many cases a requirement for employment for many Stephens GA area veterinary practices and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The veterinarian college or trade school and program you enroll in must have an excellent reputation within the veterinary community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other pointers include checking with online school ranking websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Georgia school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or violations relating to your specific schools. As a final tip, call some Stephens GA veterinary clinics that you might wish to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think of your school choices. They may even suggest one or more programs not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The most effective means to obtain clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Find out if the schools you are considering have internship programs arranged with Stephens GA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and a large number furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable regarding the clinical training, but an internship may also help develop associations in the local vet community and assist in the search for a job after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Offered? Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech college can be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are considering. A low rate could mean that the instructors were unqualified to teach the course of study or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, check that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could indicate that the college has an excellent reputation within the Stephens GA vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could mean that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you probably will receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Stephens GA schools you are looking at what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You might also decide to participate in a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and instructors. Get evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the School Located? Okay, we already covered location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the topic. If you are going to commute to your vet tech classes from your Stephens GA home, you need to make sure that the driving 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, especially if the school is located close by or within a large city. Also, if you do opt to enroll in 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 taking online classes might be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it’s imperative that you determine if the veterinary programs you are exploring offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Stephens GA. Some might only be able to attend class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are available before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss because of work, illness or family issues. You may find that an online school is the best solution to fit your veterinary education into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Stephens GA?

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

Stephens County, Georgia

Originally inhabited by Mississippi Indian mound builders and then by Cherokee Indians, the first non-Indians in the area were Revolutionary War veterans who migrated up the Savannah River and the Tugaloo River after the war. Created on August 18, 1905 from parts of Franklin County and Habersham County, the county is named for Alexander Stephens, U.S. representative, Vice President of the Confederate States of America, and fifty-third governor of Georgia.

The northern half of Stephens County is located in the Tugaloo River sub-basin of the Savannah River basin, while the southern half of the county is located in the Broad River sub-basin of the same Savannah River basin.[7]

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 26,175 people, 10,289 households, and 7,236 families residing in the county.[13] The population density was 146.1 inhabitants per square mile (56.4/km2). There were 12,662 housing units at an average density of 70.7 per square mile (27.3/km2).[14] The racial makeup of the county was 85.1% white, 10.9% black or African American, 0.7% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 1.0% from other races, and 2.0% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.4% of the population.[13] In terms of ancestry, 14.7% were American, 9.1% were Irish, 8.1% were German, and 7.4% were English.[15]

Pick the Right Vet Tech Program near Stephens GA

Stephens GA vet tech holding dog Choosing the right vet tech school is a critical first step to beginning a rewarding career providing treatment and care for pets and livestock. Students looking into vet tech programs must make their determination based on multiple key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They typically take on administrative tasks and support the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have discussed, it’s imperative that you enroll in a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This goes for vet tech online colleges as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to reduce your alternatives so that you can make your final choice. And by selecting the best school, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet tech in Stephens GA.