Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Stockbridge GA

How to Find the Right Veterinary Technician School near Stockbridge Georgia

Stockbridge GA vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your lifelong aspiration of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician program near Stockbridge GA may initially feel like an overwhelming task. After all, you need to find and enroll in a program that will furnish the appropriate training so that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you go about analyzing and comparing programs so that you can make the best selection? Many aspiring students launch their due diligence process by looking for campuses that are close to their homes. Once they have found some local colleges, they ascertain which ones have the cheapest tuition and hone in on those. Although location and cost are significant concerns when comparing vet technician schools, they are not the only important ones when making your evaluations. Qualifications such as accreditation and internship programs should be looked into also. The main idea is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet technician programs you are considering before you make an ultimate choice. We have presented several within this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll discuss the various duties of vet techs and the training options offered.

The Role of a Veterinary Technician in Stockbridge GA

cat with cone after surgery in Stockbridge GA One of the initial decisions that you will have to make is whether you desire to train as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your decision might be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your education, but the principal factor will probably be which specialization appeals to you the most. What techs and assistants have in common is that they all work under the immediate guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And even though there are numerous duties that they can perform within the Stockbridge GA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose conditions, or perform surgical procedures. In those areas they may only furnish assistance to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work outside of the typical veterinarian practice, for instance for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and training prerequisites for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have undergone a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, 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 completion of their duties. Generally they are not associated with more complicated tasks, for instance assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their typical functions may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during exams.
Vet Technicians receive more advanced training compared to assistants and typically acquire 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 basic job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from vet assistants is that they are engaged in more complicated tasks, for instance assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states currently require vet technicians pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary technicians and basically carry out the same job functions. They are mandated to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally requires four years to complete. So the main difference between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career opportunities, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.

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

Online Veterinary Technician Schools Offered in Stockbridge

student attending online vet tech school in Stockbridge GA An approach that might be a solution for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full time while attending vet school 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 available. The course of study is taught using several methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of vet tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that part can normally be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Stockbridge GA veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenses, such as for commuting and study supplies, may be cheaper compared to more conventional classroom programs. Just be sure that the program that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything is included for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent manner, an online veterinary technician school may be the ideal option for you.

Things to Ask Stockbridge GA Vet Tech Programs

Questions to ask Stockbridge GA vet tech schools By now you probably have selected which veterinary credential that you would like to earn, and if you intend to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Stockbridge GA area and across the United States, you should ask some qualifying questions to help fine tune your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our introduction, many prospective students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have already touched on other essential qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And of course you want to select a college that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the vet tech schools that you are reviewing.

Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It’s important that you confirm that the veterinary technician program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier mentioned, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone an extensive screening process that confirms you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not obtainable for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is frequently a prerequisite for employment for a number of Stockbridge GA area veterinary practices and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The vet trade school or college and program you enroll in must have an exceptional reputation within the vet field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include checking with internet 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 recommendation, phone some Stockbridge GA vet clinics that you may wish to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think of your school selections. They may even recommend some colleges not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The best approach to obtain clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Ask if the schools you are considering have internship programs established with Stockbridge GA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require practical training and many furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the clinical training, but an internship can also help establish relationships in the local veterinarian community and assist in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program may be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are reviewing. A lower rate may mean that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that some students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, check that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could indicate that the program has an outstanding reputation within the Stockbridge GA veterinarian community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could indicate that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you may receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Stockbridge GA colleges you are researching what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to sit in on a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Ask for evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and find out what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Yes, we previously covered 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 Stockbridge GA home, you have to confirm that the commuting time is compatible with 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 in or near a larger city. Also, if you do decide to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition fees particularly for state and community colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes may be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s essential that you ascertain if the veterinary schools you are looking at offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Stockbridge GA. Others might only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you require are offered prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss because of illness, work or family issues. You may discover that an online program is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary training into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Stockbridge GA?

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

Stockbridge, Georgia

The area was settled in 1829 when Concord Methodist Church was organized near present-day Old Stagecoach Road. It was granted a post office on April 5, 1847, named for a traveling professor, Levi Stockbridge, who passed through the area many times before the post office was built. He was said to be well known and respected in his namesake community. Others contend that the city was named after Thomas Stock, who was State Surveyor and president of the Georgia State Senate in the 1820s.

In 1881, the East Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia Railroad was to pass through Stockbridge between Macon and Atlanta. The settlers who owned the land about Old Stockbridge asked such a high price for their land that two prominent Atlanta citizens, John W. Grant and George W. Adair, bought a tract about a mile south of Old Stockbridge and offered lots at a reasonable price. Here the railroad built their depot and many lots were sold. The depot was located about 600 feet (180 m) north of what is now North Henry Blvd but was destroyed by the Southern Railway in the early 1980s.

On May 6, 1992, Mayor Rudy Kelley received a letter from John Stockbridge of South Carolina requesting a letter of "Greeting" from the City of Stockbridge to the attendees of the first reunion of the Stockbridge family. In his letter, he mentioned that he grew up in Georgia and had been told as a child that the city of Stockbridge was named after his great-great-grandfather Levi Stockbridge, who had traveled back and forth from the North to his property in Florida and stopped here on his journey.

Select the Right Vet Tech College near Stockbridge GA

Stockbridge GA vet tech holding dog Picking the ideal vet tech college is a crucial first step to starting a rewarding career providing care and treatment for pets and livestock. Potential students thinking about veterinary technician programs must make their determination based on multiple key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative tasks and assist the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have covered, it’s imperative that you choose a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the profession. This applies to vet tech online colleges as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can make your final choice. And by picking the best college, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Stockbridge GA.