Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools West Point GA

How to Choose a Veterinary Technician School near West Point Georgia

West Point GA vet tech diagnosing puppy Fulfilling your lifelong dream of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a vet tech program near West Point GA might at first seem like a challenging undertaking. After all, you need to locate and enroll in a college that will deliver the necessary training so that you can be successful as a veterinary technician. But just how do you approach assessing and contrasting programs so that you can make the correct selection? Many future students start their due diligence process by looking for colleges that are close to their residences. When they have found some local schools, they ascertain which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although location and expense are significant factors when assessing vet technician schools, they are not the only critical ones when making your comparisons. Factors such as internship programs and accreditation need to be looked into as well. The main idea is that there are questions you should be asking the veterinary technician programs you are reviewing before you make an ultimate choice. We have presented several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll explore the different responsibilities of veterinary technicians and the training options offered.

The Job of a Vet Tech in West Point GA

cat with cone after surgery in West Point GA One of the first decisions that you will have to make is if you desire to train as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your decision might be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your training, but the primary determiner will probably be which specialization appeals to you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they both work under the immediate guidance of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And although there are a number of duties that they can perform within the West Point GA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose ailments, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they may only provide support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work away from the typical veterinarian practice, for instance for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and education prerequisites for each position.

Vet Assistants in the majority of cases will have undergone a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by graduating from a certificate program at a community college or trade school. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet technicians in the completion of their duties. Normally they are not involved with more complex undertakings, such as assisting with surgical procedures. A few of their regular functions may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during examinations.
Vet Technicians go through more extensive training compared with assistants and typically earn a 2 year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinarian counterparts of medical nurses, since their basic job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are engaged in more complex functions, for example assisting with surgeries or providing medication. All states presently mandate that vet technicians pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
Vet Technologists are comparable to veterinary techs and essentially carry out the same work functions. They are mandated to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically requires 4 years to complete. Therefore 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 job opportunities, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.

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

Online Vet Tech Schools Offered in West Point

student attending online vet tech school in West Point GA An alternative that might make sense for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full-time while going to vet college is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are made available over the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The syllabus is taught using various venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since most vet tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that part can normally be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local West Point GA veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenses, such as for commuting and study materials, can be more affordable compared to more standard classroom courses. Just make certain that the online school that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online courses and the clinical training, everything is included for a complete education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more independent manner, an online veterinary technician school may be the right choice for you.

What to Ask West Point GA Veterinary Technician Colleges

Questions to ask West Point GA vet tech schools By now you should have selected which veterinarian credential that you want to obtain, and if you want to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the West Point GA area and across the United States, you should ask some important questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we discussed in our opening, many prospective students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already pointed out other essential qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And of course you need to choose a program that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are addressed in the list of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are considering.

Is the Vet Program Accredited? It’s important that you verify that the veterinary technician program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously 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 a rigorous screening process that confirms you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is often a precondition for employment for a number of West Point GA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation? The vet college or vocational school and program you choose must have an exceptional reputation within the vet community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include looking on internet school ranking websites and contacting the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Georgia school licensing department if there have been any grievances or violations concerning your specific schools. As a final pointer, contact some West Point GA veterinarians that you may wish to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They may even suggest some schools not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The most effective approach to get practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a clinical environment. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have internship programs arranged with West Point GA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and a large number provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable regarding the practical training, but an internship can also help develop associations in the local veterinarian community and assist in the search for a job after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Provided? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school may be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are reviewing. A low rate may mean that the teachers were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. 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 school has an exceptional reputation within the West Point GA veterinarian community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may signify 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 individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the West Point GA schools you are considering what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to participate in a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Get evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the Campus Located? Okay, we previously covered location, but there are several more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your vet tech classes from your West Point GA home, you need to make sure that the driving 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 choose to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition costs particularly for community and state colleges. Of course attending online classes might be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s important that you find out if the veterinary programs you are looking at offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near West Point GA. Others might only be able to go to class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you need are available before enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss due to illness, work or family emergencies. You might find that an online school is the best way to fit your vet education into your hectic life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near West Point GA?

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

West Point, Georgia

West Point is a city in Troup and Harris counties in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 3,474,[4] and in 2015 the estimated population was 3,728.[5] Most of the city is in Troup County, which is part of the LaGrange Micropolitan Statistical Area, and hence part of the Atlanta-Athens-Clarke County-Sandy Springs, GA Combined Statistical Area. A sliver in the south is in Harris County, which is part of the Columbus Metropolitan Statistical Area.

The city's present name comes from its being near the westernmost point of the Chattahoochee River, where the river turns from its southwesterly flow from the Appalachian Mountains to due south – for all practical purposes – and forms the boundary with Alabama. The large nearby reservoir, West Point Lake, was created by the Army Corps of Engineers by the building of the West Point Dam, for water storage and hydroelectric power generation. The reservoir stores water which can be released during dry seasons, in order to maintain the water level of the navigable inland waterway from Columbus, Georgia, south to the Gulf of Mexico.

During the late spring of 2003, there was a flood caused by extremely heavy rainfall and thunderstorms upstream of the West Point Dam; the weather caused the water level in the reservoir to come close to overflowing the top of the dam. There were allegations of poor forecasting by the Corps of Engineers of the reservoir's water levels.[citation needed] The flood water would have overflowed the dam had a large amount of water not been released though the spillway of the dam. Whereas this prevented the catastrophic failure of the West Point Dam, the city endured a flood much more severe than any other in the time since the dam had been built.

Pick the Ideal Vet Tech College near West Point GA

West Point GA vet tech holding dog Enrolling in the right vet tech program is a critical first step to beginning a rewarding career delivering care and treatment for pets and livestock. Students considering vet tech programs must make their decision based on several key issues. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative duties and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients when needed. As we have covered, it’s essential that you pick a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This goes for vet tech online colleges as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final decision. And by picking the right program, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in West Point GA.