Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Stone Mountain GA

How to Pick a Vet Tech School near Stone Mountain Georgia

Stone Mountain GA vet tech diagnosing puppy Achieving your long term goal of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a veterinary technician school near Stone Mountain GA might at first feel like a daunting undertaking. After all, you have to locate and enroll in a college that will provide the proper training to ensure that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you go about reviewing and contrasting programs so that you can make the right selection? Many potential students begin their due diligence process by searching for campuses that are close to their homes. When they have found some nearby colleges, they determine which ones have the cheapest tuition and focus on those. Although cost and location are important considerations when evaluating veterinary technician schools, they are by no means the only important ones when making your assessments. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs should be looked into as well. The main idea is that there are questions you should be asking the vet technician programs you are evaluating before you make a final decision. We have presented several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll explore the varied duties of veterinary technicians and the training options available.

The Role of a Veterinary Technician in Stone Mountain GA

cat with cone after surgery in Stone Mountain GA One of the first decisions that you will need to make is if you wish 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 devote to your education, but the principal factor will undoubtedly be which specialty interests you the most. What techs and assistants share in common is that they all work under the immediate direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And while there are numerous duties that they can carry out within the Stone Mountain GA veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose conditions, or perform surgical procedures. In those areas they may only furnish assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work away from the standard veterinarian practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and education requirements for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in most instances will have undergone a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by finishing a certificate program at a vocational school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet techs in the execution of their duties. Normally they are not associated with more involved tasks, for example assisting with surgeries. A few of their normal responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or handling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians get more advanced training compared to assistants and normally earn a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinary counterparts of medical nurses, since their fundamental job duty is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from veterinary assistants is that they are engaged in more complicated activities, for instance assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states presently require veterinary techs pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to vet technicians and essentially perform the same job functions. They are mandated to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which normally requires four years to complete. So the only real distinction between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work options, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.

Vet technicians and technologists can specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or urgent care. A number may obtain certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Stone Mountain GA laboratories or research facilities as well.

Online Vet Tech Programs Offered in Stone Mountain

student attending online vet tech school in Stone Mountain GA An alternative that may be a solution for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full time while going to vet school is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are provided via the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The educational program is taught using multiple methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since many veterinary technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that portion can normally be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Stone Mountain GA veterinary 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 example for traveling and study materials, can be cheaper compared to more conventional classroom programs. Just be sure that the program that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is provided for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent mode, an online veterinary technician school may be the right option for you.

Questions to Ask Stone Mountain GA Vet Tech Programs

Questions to ask Stone Mountain GA vet tech schools By now you probably have determined which veterinarian degree that you want to attain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Stone Mountain GA area and across the United States, you must ask some relevant questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we discussed in our introduction, many potential students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have already touched on other important qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you want to choose a college that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are covered in the checklist of questions that you should ask the vet tech colleges that you are reviewing.

Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It’s important that you make sure that the veterinary technician program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier stated, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through an extensive screening process that verifies you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not offered for non-accredited programs. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is frequently a requirement for employment for many Stone Mountain GA area veterinarian practices and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The vet college or vocational school and program you enroll in should have an excellent reputation within the veterinarian community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include checking with online school rating websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Georgia school licensing department if there have been any complaints or violations relating to your specific schools. As a final pointer, call some Stone Mountain GA vet clinics that you may wish to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They might even suggest some colleges not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The most effective approach to get practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Find out if the colleges you are considering have internship programs established with Stone Mountain GA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and a large number provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial as far as the clinical training, but an internship may also help develop associations in the local vet community and assist in the search for employment after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Finding 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 colleges you are evaluating. A lower rate might signify that the teachers were unqualified to teach the course of study or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might signify that the college has an exceptional reputation within the Stone Mountain GA veterinarian community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could mean 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 larger sized, you probably will receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Stone Mountain GA schools you are considering what their class student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to sit in on a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and teachers. Ask for evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the College Located? Of course, we already talked about location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Stone Mountain GA home, you must make sure that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to check out the route won’t be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the college is located near or in a large city. Also, if you do choose to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition costs particularly for community and state colleges. Of course taking classes online could be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it’s essential that you determine if the veterinarian schools you are looking at offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Stone Mountain GA. Others might only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you require are available prior to enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family emergencies. You might discover that an online college is the best way to fit your veterinary training into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Stone Mountain GA?

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

Stone Mountain, Georgia

Stone Mountain is a city in DeKalb County, Georgia, United States. The population was 5,802 at the 2010 census.[5] Stone Mountain is located in the eastern part of DeKalb County and is a suburb of Atlanta. It lies near to but does not include the geological formation Stone Mountain.

In 1822, the area that now makes up the city of Stone Mountain was made a part of the newly formed DeKalb County. A post office was created in 1834 on the old Augusta Road, and Andrew Johnson built a hotel along the road in 1836. At around the same time, Aaron Cloud built an observation tower at the summit of the mountain. Visitors to the mountain would travel to the area by rail and road, and then hike up the 1.1-mile (1.8 km) mountaintop trail to the top, where Cloud also had a restaurant and club.

By 1839, a general store was added, and a village was established under the name New Gibraltar. The name was officially changed to Stone Mountain by the Georgia legislature in 1847. The town is named for nearby Stone Mountain. During the Civil War, Stone Mountain village was destroyed by men under the command of General James B. McPherson on July 19, 1864.

Enroll in the Right Vet Tech Program near Stone Mountain GA

Stone Mountain GA vet tech holding dog Choosing the ideal veterinary technician college is an important first step to starting a fulfilling career providing treatment and care for animals. Future students thinking about veterinary technician programs need to make their decision based on multiple key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly take on administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have covered, it’s imperative that you decide on a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This goes for online vet tech schools as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final choice. And by picking the right college, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Stone Mountain GA.