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How to Select a Vet Tech Program near Thomaston Georgia

Thomaston GA vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your long term goal of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a vet tech program near Thomaston GA might at first seem like an overwhelming undertaking. After all, you need to search for and enroll in a college that will furnish the proper training to ensure that you can succeed as a vet tech. But just how do you approach evaluating and comparing programs so that you can make the best selection? Many potential students start their due diligence process by searching for colleges that are close to their residences. Once they have located some local colleges, they ascertain which ones have the cheapest tuition and focus on those. Although cost and location are significant considerations when evaluating vet technician programs, they are not the only critical ones when making your assessments. Qualifications such as internship programs and accreditation should be evaluated as well. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the vet technician schools you are considering before you make a final decision. We have provided several within this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll explore the different duties of vet techs and the training alternatives offered.

The Responsibilities of a Veterinary Technician in Thomaston GA

cat with cone after surgery in Thomaston GA Among the initial decisions that you will need to make is whether you plan to train as a veterinary assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your determination might be based on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your training, but the main factor will most likely be which specialty interests you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they both work under the direct guidance of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And even though there are many functions that they can perform within the Thomaston GA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose health issues, or perform surgical procedures. In those areas they can only furnish assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work outside of the typical vet practice, for instance for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the duties and education requirements for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in most instances will have undergone a structured training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by graduating from a certificate program at a vocational school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet techs in the performance of their duties. Generally they are not associated with more complex activities, such as assisting with surgeries. Some of their regular functions may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or handling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians go through more advanced training in contrast to assistants and usually obtain a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the vet equivalent 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 included in more complicated tasks, for instance assisting with surgical procedures or administering medication. All states presently mandate that vet techs pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are similar to vet techs and for the most part carry out the same work functions. They are mandated to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally takes 4 years. So the main difference between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work options, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.

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

Online Vet Tech Programs Offered in Thomaston

student attending online vet tech school in Thomaston GA An alternative that may be a solution for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full-time while going to vet college is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are made available by means of the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The educational program is taught using multiple venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of vet tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that portion can typically be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Thomaston GA veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenditures, for instance for travel and study supplies, can be more affordable compared to more conventional classroom programs. Just confirm that the online school that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is included for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent manner, an online vet tech school may be the ideal option for you.

Questions to Ask Thomaston GA Vet Tech Schools

Questions to ask Thomaston GA vet tech schools At this point you should have decided on which veterinarian degree that you wish to attain, and if you want to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Thomaston GA area as well as across the United States, you should ask some important questions to help fine tune your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our opening, many potential students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have already mentioned other significant qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you need to select a program that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other factors 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 verify that the veterinary technician program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. 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 undergone a demanding screening process that verifies you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not available for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is in many cases a requirement for employment for a number of Thomaston GA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinary vocational school or college and program you select must have an outstanding reputation within the vet field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include looking on 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 infractions relating to your specific schools. As a final tip, phone some Thomaston 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 might even recommend some colleges not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The best means to get clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a clinical environment. Find out if the schools you are considering have internship programs set up with Thomaston GA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable as far as the clinical training, but an internship can also help establish connections in the local veterinarian community and help in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are evaluating. A lower rate could suggest that the instructors were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that some students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, check that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may mean that the college has an outstanding reputation within the Thomaston GA vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may indicate that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.

How Big are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you may get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Thomaston GA programs you are researching what their class teacher to student ratios are. You may also want to attend a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Ask for feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Okay, we previously talked about location, but there are a few more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your Thomaston GA home, you have to confirm that the driving 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, particularly if the school is located in or near a larger city. Also, if you do decide to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes might be an option that will give you more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it’s essential that you ascertain if the veterinarian schools you are considering 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 Thomaston GA. Some may only be able to attend class in the morning or in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you require are available before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you might miss because of sickness, work or family issues. You might discover that an online school is the best way to fit your veterinary education into your active life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Thomaston GA?

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

Thomaston, Georgia

Thomaston is a city in and the county seat of Upson County,[5]Georgia, United States.[6] The population was 9,638 at the 2006 census. It is the principal city of and is included in the Thomaston, Georgia Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Atlanta - Sandy Springs (GA) - Gainesville (GA) - Alabama (partial) Combined Statistical Area.

Thomaston was incorporated on January 1, 1825,[7] and designated as the seat of Upson County. The town was named for General Jett Thomas, an Indian fighter in the War of 1812.[6] Jett is also credited with assisting in the construction of the state capitol at Milledgeville in 1805-7 and Franklin College on the campus of the University of Georgia in 1806.

The judges of the inferior court had the authority to sell lots to individuals on a one-third cash basis with two years to complete the payment. This money was used to build the first courthouse, which was completed in 1828. The second courthouse was completed in 1852, and the present courthouse was erected in 1908. In the southeast corner of the square is a cannonball mounted on a marble base, said to be the first fired at Fort Sumter, off the coast of Charleston, South Carolina. P. W. Alexander, a noted correspondent during the Civil War (1861–65) and a citizen of Upson County, retrieved it.

Choose the Right Vet Tech School near Thomaston GA

Thomaston GA vet tech holding dog Selecting the ideal veterinary technician school is an important first step to starting a fulfilling career delivering treatment and care for animals. Future students looking into veterinary technician colleges need to make their determination based on several key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists work in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly handle administrative tasks and assist the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have discussed, it’s very important 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 schools as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to reduce your alternatives so that you can make your final selection. And by choosing the ideal school, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet tech in Thomaston GA.