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How to Select a Veterinary Technician School near Valdosta Georgia

Valdosta GA vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your long term dream of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a vet tech school near Valdosta GA could at first feel like an overwhelming task. After all, you must locate and enroll in a college that will deliver the proper training to ensure that you can be successful as a vet tech. But just how do you approach reviewing and contrasting schools so that you can make the ideal choice? Many aspiring students begin their due diligence process by searching for schools that are close to their residences. When they have located some nearby colleges, they determine which ones have the cheapest tuition and hone in on those. Although expense and location are significant factors when evaluating veterinary technician schools, they are not the only significant ones when making your comparisons. Qualifications such as accreditation and internship programs need to be looked into also. The point is that there are questions you need to be asking the vet tech programs you are looking at before you make an ultimate decision. We have furnished several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll go over the varied responsibilities of veterinary technicians and the training options available.

The Responsibilities of a Veterinary Technician in Valdosta GA

cat with cone after surgery in Valdosta GA One of the initial decisions that you will have to make is whether you wish to train as a veterinary assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your decision might be based on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your training, but the main factor will undoubtedly be which specialization interests you the most. What technicians and assistants have in common is that they both work under the direct direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And even though there are a number of jobs that they can carry out within the Valdosta GA veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose ailments, or conduct surgeries. In those areas they can only furnish support to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work outside of the standard vet practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and education requirements for each specialty.

Vet Assistants in most instances will have undergone a formal 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 vets and vet techs in the execution of their duties. Generally they are not associated with more involved activities, such as assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their normal responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing examination rooms and equipment, or handling animals during examinations.
Vet Technicians undergo more advanced training in contrast to assistants and normally 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 basic job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from vet assistants is that they are included in more involved tasks, for example assisting with surgeries or administering medicine. All states currently mandate that vet technicians pass a credentialing exam for either registration, certification or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable 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 only real distinction between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work opportunities, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are also mandated 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. Many may earn certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Valdosta GA labs or research facilities also.

Online Vet Tech Programs Offered in Valdosta

student attending online vet tech school in Valdosta GA An option that might make sense for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full time while attending vet college is to enroll in an online program. Since the classes are made available via the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is accessible. The educational program is taught using various methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since most vet technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that portion can normally be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Valdosta GA veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenses, such as for traveling and study supplies, can be cheaper compared to more conventional classroom courses. Just be sure that the online school that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online classes and the clinical 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 program may be the ideal choice for you.

Things to Ask Valdosta GA Vet Tech Colleges

Questions to ask Valdosta GA vet tech schools At this point you should have decided on which veterinarian credential that you would like to earn, and if you prefer to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Valdosta GA area as well as across the USA, you should ask some relevant questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our introduction, many potential students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already touched on other important qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you need to enroll in a school 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 vet tech colleges that you are reviewing.

Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It’s essential that you confirm that the vet tech college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier discussed, 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 thorough review process that verifies you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not offered for non-accredited programs. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is in many cases a prerequisite for employment for many Valdosta GA area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the School’s Reputation? The veterinary college or vocational school and program you enroll in must have an excellent reputation within the vet community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include checking with online school ranking websites and contacting the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Georgia school licensing department if there have been any complaints or infractions involving your targeted schools. As a final pointer, call some Valdosta GA vet clinics that you may want to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They might even suggest one or more programs not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The most effective approach to obtain 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 Valdosta GA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and a large number provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable regarding the clinical training, but an internship may also help establish associations in the local veterinarian 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 school can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are considering. A lower rate may indicate that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that some students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the schools have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may indicate that the program has an excellent reputation within the Valdosta GA vet community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might indicate that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you most likely will get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Valdosta GA programs you are researching what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to sit in on a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Get evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the School Located? Yes, we previously covered location, but there are several more points to make on the subject. If you are going to commute to your vet tech classes from your Valdosta GA home, you must make certain that the commuting time fits into your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to check out the route won’t be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the school is located in or near a large city. In addition, if you do decide to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition charges particularly for state and community colleges. Of course attending online classes could be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it’s important that you ascertain if the veterinarian colleges you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Valdosta GA. Others may only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you need are available before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss because of work, sickness or family issues. You may discover that an online college is the best solution to fit your vet training into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Valdosta GA?

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

Valdosta, Georgia

Valdosta is a city in and the county seat of Lowndes County, located on the southern border of Georgia, United States. As of 2013, Valdosta has a total population of 56,481,[5] and is the 14th largest city in Georgia.[6]

Valdosta is the home of Valdosta State University, a regional university in the University System of Georgia with over 10,900 students.[8] The local public Valdosta High School has the most winning football program of any high school in the United States.[9]

Valdosta was incorporated on December 7, 1860, when it was designated by the state legislature as the new county seat, formerly at nearby Troupville. The railroad was built to Valdosta that year, rather than Troupville, stimulating development in the new county seat.[10] Many citizens of Troupville had already relocated to Valdosta when the Atlantic and Gulf Railroad was built four miles (about 6 km) away. On July 4, 1860, the engine known as Satilla No. 3 pulled the first train into Valdosta on the Atlantic and Gulf Railroad.

Pick the Right Vet Tech College near Valdosta GA

Valdosta GA vet tech holding dog Choosing the right vet tech college is a critical first step to beginning a fulfilling career providing treatment and care for animals. Students looking into veterinary technician schools must make their decision based on a number of key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They typically take on administrative responsibilities and assist 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 online vet tech programs as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to reduce your options 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 Valdosta GA.